KUCHING: Malaysia and its government need to make efforts to improve their low ranking on the RSF World Press Freedom Index.
The RSF World Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking that evaluates the state of press freedom in countries worldwide. It is published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a non-profit organization based in Paris, France, that works to defend and promote media freedom.
The index assesses the level of freedom available to journalists and media organizations in each country, considering factors such as the legal framework for press freedom, media independence, transparency, abuses against journalists, and the overall climate for freedom of expression.
Countries are ranked based on a scoring system, with a higher score indicating greater press freedom. The rankings highlight the challenges and risks faced by journalists and media professionals in different countries, drawing attention to violations of press freedom and areas that require improvement.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ), urges the government to eliminate fear and threats, creating a free, independent, and supportive environment for the media. They have made the following recommendations to ensure ethical reporting:
“Although the new unity government, The Madani, had its first full year in power in 2023, Malaysia still faces numerous challenges and has not made significant progress in media freedom,” said Wathshlah G Naidu, CIJ Executive Director, in a statement on May 3.
The media continues to suffer from a lack of trust due to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
CIJ’s focus on establishing the Malaysian Media Council is aimed at strengthening ethical journalism in Malaysia. With the rise of digital platforms, traditional media outlets face more restrictions due to government influence and the political environment.
However, the proliferation of openly biased media outlets and unregulated online journalism necessitates the creation of a mediator for discussions and a regulatory body like the Malaysian Media Council (MMC). The MMC would preserve ethical journalism by promoting honest and unbiased reporting while maintaining a vibrant and diverse media landscape.
CIJ has found that despite promises made during the electoral campaign, the government has made little progress in repealing and amending laws that restrict media freedom.
The government continues to suppress journalists from critical and unbiased reporting, relying on outdated values within political institutions.
According to RSF, draconian legislation is still prominently used by the government to serve its agenda and uphold outdated values.
Laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, the Sedition Act 1949, the Official Secrets Act, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, while not directly targeting the media in 2023, remain a threat to journalistic freedom. They promote self-censorship due to fear of legal repercussions and bureaucratic obstacles.
The Malaysian press operates under a culture of fear and threat, not only due to these draconian laws but also because the government can suppress voices through various other means. This includes revoking media passes and blocking alternative media outlet websites.
Online censorship continues to persist in Malaysia, even with the shift to online platforms, further restricting journalists from speaking on important public interest issues.
Malaysia and its government must strive to improve their ranking on the RSF World Press Freedom Index.
CIJ urges the government to eliminate the culture of fear and threats, creating a free, independent media. They recommend implementing the following recommendations without delay:
Initiate comprehensive legislative reform to eliminate laws that restrict freedom of expression and media freedom, in line with Malaysia’s international human rights obligations. During the reform process, a moratorium should be imposed on the use of these laws.
Expedite the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) as a transparent, independent, multi-stakeholder self-regulatory body for the industry. This can be achieved by adopting the work of the pro tem committee established in January 2020.
Ensure that the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists, introduced this year, aligns with the standards set by the MMC and does not hinder the independent functioning of the MMC.
“There is still much work to be done. Change must happen, and Malaysia cannot remain stagnant. Stay tuned for our upcoming Media Landscape report as CIJ aims to share our perspectives on the media landscape, empowering the public with the knowledge needed to drive this necessary change.”
